The aim of the procedure is to recreate the natural contour of a woman’s breast, by using artificial implants or their own body tissue to make a breast mound and nipple. Your surgeon will discuss which method is best for you, and this usually depends on your general health, the size and shape of your breast and the availability of your own tissues for use in reconstruction. Often, more than one surgical procedure is required.

Frequently, breast reconstruction is possible at the time of your mastectomy. However, in some cases, the reconstruction may be delayed. Again, your surgeon will talk to you about the best time for you to have a reconstruction.

Flap reconstruction (autologous)

A flap is a segment of tissue that is transferred from one part of the body to another with its own blood supply. For breast reconstruction, this usually involves skin, fat and muscle. The most common sites from which these are taken are the abdomen, called a Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap (DIEP), Transverse Rectus Abdominus Myocutaneous (TRAM) flap, and the back, called a latissimus dorsi flap.

Flap reconstruction is a more involved and a longer operation, than one employing an implant, and involves scars to another part of the body. Recovery, therefore, does tend to take longer.

DIEP

A DIEP flap uses the use of an oval piece of skin and fat from your abdomen. The flap is then joined to vessels in the chest to give the flap a new blood supply. This is usually the best form of reconstruction to create a natural-looking and natural-feeling breast, especially in the moderate to large breast size.

TRAM

In some cases the same tissue in the DIEP above is left on the abdominal muscle (rectus) and tunnelled into the mastectomy defect to recreate the breast.

Latissimus dorsi flap

The latissimus dorsi flap uses some of the skin, fat and muscle from your back to recreate a breast mound. This tissue can be used alone to create a small breast, but for larger breast reconstruction your surgeon may also need to use an implant to match the size of your other breast.

Implant reconstruction (prosthetic)

Implant reconstruction is generally a two-stage procedure. It’s good for reconstructing small to moderate-sized breasts, where the natural droop is minimal and the woman is of a thin build.

In the first stage (usually at the time of mastectomy), an expander, or balloon-like device, is placed under the skin and chest muscle. Then, when all the wounds are healed, you will have to visit your specialist’s rooms on a regular basis, usually over several weeks or months, to have the expander gradually inflated with saline to expand the skin and muscle. This is expanded until there is a sufficient-sized pocket to accept an implant to match your other breast.

The second stage is performed generally three months after the expansion is complete. It involves removing the expander and inserting an appropriate shaped and sized implant to match your other breast. The implant is made of silicone or filled with saline.

Others are performed directly to an implant. Not all cases are suitable and our plastic surgeon will discuss this with you.

Scar Placement

All the surgery for the reconstruction of the breast is performed through the mastectomy scars, so no new scars are created.

Final note

As we have detailed, there are many ways to recreate your breast, so it is important for your surgeon to discuss with you the timing and type of reconstruction that is most suitable for you.

Breast reduction is usually performed to improve the physical and/or psychological symptoms associated with enlarged breasts, and is carried out after the breasts are fully developed, usually when a woman has reached the age of 18. The aim of breast reduction surgery is to reduce the size of the breasts and to create a better shape in proportion to the womans body.

Women with large, pendulous breasts may suffer from a variety of symptoms: neck and back pains, shoulder grooving from bra strap indentation and skin irritation or infections under the breasts (known as intertrigo). Overly large breasts can make women feel extremely self-conscious and restrict them in many physical or social activities.

Scar Placement

Breast reduction can leave a scar around the areola (darker pigmented skin around the nipple), a vertical scar below the nipple and a scar running under the lower crease of the breast.

Breast augmentation is a procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breasts. It involves inserting an implant underneath the breast.

The best candidates for breast augmentation are physically healthy women looking for improvement in the way they look and are realistic in their expectations.

The reasons for breast augmentation are varied, they include:

Women who have always been small-breasted and would like to enhance their bustline for personal reasons

Restoration of the volume of the breasts after significant weight loss or pregnancy

Correcting symmetry of uneven breast sizes.

Breast implants consist of a silicone shell filled with either silicone gel or saline (salt water). In consultation with your plastic surgeon, you will decide on the size, shape (round or anatomic) and type (silicone or saline) of implant. Together, you will also decide on the position of the implant (under the breast gland or muscle beneath the breast) and the incision for placement of the implant:

Inframammary (in the breast crease)

Periareolar (around the bottom half of the areola)

Transaxillary (under the front fold of the armpit).

Mastopexy (Breast lift) is an operation that improves the shape and position of the breast on the chest wall.

With age, pregnancy, breast feeding, weight change and the forces of gravity, come the stretching of the breast skin and ligaments, resulting in sagging or drooping. Simply put, over a woman’s lifetime, breasts lose their shape and firmness.

Mastopexy aims to restore the breast to a more youthful appearance.

Augmentation mastopexy

If a woman’s breasts are small, or have lost significant volume after breast feeding or weight loss, mastopexy can be combined with the use of implants to increase the shape, firmness and size of breasts. This procedure is known as augmentation mastopexy.

Scar Placement

Scar placement will vary according to the mastopexy technique used.

"I can not speak highly enough of the Auckland Breast Centre team, as without exception I have always been treated with care, warmth and reassurance. Coming to terms with my Mastectomy was certainly helped by the care I have received "

"Your service from the minute I entered your facility was faultless. Thank you for making the experience completely stress free and making me feel so comfortable."